News

Emeryville, Calif. -- Jamba Inc., operators of Jamba Juice stores, reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate its move to an asset-light model with the announcement that the company has entered into an agreement with Capgemini, a leader provider of consulting, technology, and outsourcing services. The agreement provides enhanced administrative tools, technology services, and capabilities for Jamba, and is anticipated to create workflow efficiencies while reducing costs as the brand pursues a 10%-20% reduction of overall G&A in 2015.

Walldorf, Germany – Retailers should consider waiting until August to launch back-to-school promotions and focus them heavily on online shoppers. According to new data from SAP, consumer sentiment toward back-to-school advertising doesn’t become positive till the end of July.

New York -- Burger King Worldwide is in discussions to buy Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons. The two companies said in a joint statement on Monday that the new publicly listed entity would be based in Canada. The move comes as the White House is calling on Congress to take steps to prevent U.S. companies from moving outside the country (“tax inversions”).

The two restaurant companies are currently worth a combined total of about $18 billion, according to media reports.

Although Ann Inc. began the quarter on a positive note, the company was unable to capitalize on the momentum it generated through mid-June. The second half of the quarter was marked by softer traffic levels and a highly promotional environment that pressured sales and margin.

Although same-store sales at Gap were flat in the second quarter, the company reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, buoyed by strong sales at Old Navy, and raised its full-year profit forecast as a result.

Net profit rose to $332 million in the quarter from $303 million a year ago.

The Italian luxury brand Fendi gets social in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood, opening a pop-up whose brick walls are adorned with neon hash tag signs.   

The 630-sq.-ft. shop, dubbed #fendisoho, combines sophisticated touches — leather and velvet — with a playful, arcade-themed décor that includes custom vending machines, where products dangle from mechanical claws.   

New York -- Aeropostale Inc. on Thursday reported a second-quarter loss that was less than the Wall Street expected. It also forecast a bigger-than-expected loss for the current quarter.
 
Aeropostale, which has lost money for seven consecutive quarters, reported a net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 of $63.8 million, compared to a loss of $33.7 million in the year-ago period.

Maybelline New York has teamed up with downtown creative hub, MADE, to act as the official makeup partner of MADE Fashion Week to be held Sept. 4 to 10 at Milk Studios.

Maybelline New York will provide creative direction, backstage artistry and its range of products for more than 10 MADE designers, including Public School, Cushnie Et Ochs, Ostwald Helgason, Olivier Saillard, Kitsune, Jonathan Simkhai, Maria Ke Fisherman, Peter Som, Chris Gelinas, Zana Bayne and Baja East.